The Cape soccer squad closed out its preseason with a 2-0 scrimmage loss to Appoquinimink Sept. 3 at Legends Stadium.
“We knew that playing Appo would give us a strong look at our guys playing against a state championship-caliber team,” said Cape head coach Patrick Kilby. “There were plenty of positives that we pulled from this matchup. We didn’t give up any goals in run of play, we were pretty proficient at cutting the field in half defensively, and our guys can match up physically against anyone in the state. We still need to play faster. We still need to work harder when losing the ball. Our fitness level is good, but theirs was better, and we need to work on target play with our strikers. We need our high targets to be able to hold possession with pressure on their backs. If they can hold the ball a few seconds longer, we will be able to get numbers forward.”
The Cape coach did have kudos for his team for its preseason play.
“All in all, it has been a very productive preseason,” he said. “Our guys are ready. We have a week until we open at Seaford, so we have plenty of time to address areas of need. We have a very positive environment in the program. I think they are excited to start playing in real games.”
Cape will travel to Seaford Tuesday, Sept. 10, for a Henlopen Conference matchup with the Blue Jays.
Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs.